Mitch Hotts: Cool pool for hot dance club -

By
Mitch Hotts, The Macomb Daily

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Macomb County’s newest dance club promises to be so hot that the owners are installing a swimming pool to keep everyone cool.

The Vault Nightlife in downtown Mount Clemens will not only have a pool with young women cooling off, but also a waterfall and two Jacuzzis designed to make the place one of a kind in southeastern Michigan.

“We wanted to create a Las Vegas- or South Beach-type environment right here in Michigan,” says owner Wally Mona.

“If you’ve ever been to South Beach in Florida, some of their clubs have these Sunday pool parties for guests to rejuvenate from over the weekend. That’s the feel we’re going to have here.”

The Vault Nightlife had a soft opening last weekend and will be open every Friday and Saturday until the grand opening in mid-April. Sundays will be added to the schedule as the weather warms up.

It is located in a former bank designed by architect William Kessler in 1961 and was home to the Bank Nightlife bar. Mona purchased the building last year from Macomb County for $259,000.

Mona and partner Marc Beginin, an Oakland County entertainment lawyer, have invested more than $500,000 into renovating the 8,000-square-foot structure to convert it into a dance club featuring electronic dance music. Top 40 music will be the theme for Sundays.

The main level contains a dance floor energized by a $250,000 sound and laser-lighting system, along with an elevated VIP section with a great view of the city outside through large windows.

There are more dark dance rooms in the basement area with various light enhancements for a tripped-out experience. Throughout the building, the floor has a glittered epoxy finish, adding to the otherworldly vibe.

The lower level is where the pool will eventually be located. Floor-to-ceiling garage doors will allow patrons to enjoy the outdoors on spring and summer nights.

The owners say it’s an upscale club for the 21-and-over crowd with an upscale casual dress code.

Mona has big plans for the place that continue to unfold.

He is working on the design for the pool, which will be about 5 feet deep and heated. Patrons will be invited to wade in the pool if they bring swimming gear.

“Right now we are booking some of the hottest national and international DJs,” he said. “And we’re working on some new signature drinks. There’s not going to be anyplace else like this in Michigan.”

Mona and Beginin are also the team working on renovations of the former Emerald Theatre, on North Walnut Street in downtown Mount Clemens.

Over the winter, they had workers performing a $2 million roof-to-basement overhaul of the historic former vaudeville venue that is now named Macomb Music Theatre.

Grammy Award-winning jazz artists Gerald Albright, Norman Brown and Alex Bugnon will be the opening act at the theater on April 13. The comedy duo Cheech and Chong will be there April 21.

The Vault Nightlife is located at 77 S. Main St. and opens at 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There will be a varying cover charge after 11 p.m. For more information, visit vaultnightlife.com.